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Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense extends run

PERFECT Nonsense has extended its run at the Duke of York’s Theatre until September 20, 2014.

Stephen Mangan as the effervescent, aristocratic fool Bertie Wooster and Matthew Macfadyen as his dutiful valet, Jeeves will continue in their roles until April 5, 2014.

Perfect Nonsense has been nominated for a 2014 WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Comedy.

Previously Posted: Stephen Mangan as the effervescent, aristocratic fool Bertie Wooster and Matthew Macfadyen as his dutiful valet, Jeeves, will star in the West End transfer of Perfect Nonsense.

The new play, written by brothers Robert and David Goodale and based on PG Wodehouse’s The Code of the Woosters, the first installment in the Totleigh Towers saga, opens at the Duke of York’s Theatre on November 12, 2013 following preview performances from October 30.

When a perfectly delightful trip to the countryside takes a turn for the worse, Bertie Wooster is unwittingly called on to play matchmaker – reconciling the affections of his host’s drippy daughter Madeline Bassett with his newt-fancying acquaintance Gussie Fink-Nottle.

If Bertie, ably assisted by the ever-dependable Jeeves, can’t pull off the wedding of the season he’ll be forced to abandon his cherished bachelor status and marry the ghastly girl for himself.

Although Matthew MacFadyen is best known for his screen roles – in Pride and Prejudice, Robin Hood, The Three Musketeers and Anna Karenina (film); Ripper Street, Spooks, Little Dorrit and Ashes to Ashes (TV) – he has appeared on stage in Henry IV (National Theatre), The Pain and the Itch (Royal Court Theatre) and Private Lives alongside Kim Cattrall (Vaudeville Theatre).

Stephen Mangan’s theatre credits include Birthday and The People Are Friendly (Royal Court Theatre) and The Norman Conquests (Old Vic). He is, however, best known for his television roles in Green Wing, I’m Alan Partridge, Episodes and Dirk Gently.

Perfect Nonsense will be directed by Sean Foley, who said: “When the Goodale brothers’ exceptional script, based on PG Wodehouse’s quintessential English double act of Jeeves and Wooster, was shown to me, I immediately knew I wanted to do it. Wodehouse is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, English comic writer, and the challenge of putting his finest creation on stage for the very first time is a tremendously exciting one.”

Perfect Nonsense will be produced in the West End by Mark Goucher and Mark Rubinstein.

Prior to the West End, Perfect Nonsense will play at Richmond Theatre (October 10 to October 19) and Brighton Theatre Royal (October 22 to October 26).